JOHESU warns FG against criminalising strike

THE Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has vehemently rejected what it describes as a dangerous attempt to use the newly announced National Industrial Relations Policy to criminalise strike actions and weaken trade unionism in Nigeria.

In a strongly worded reaction to comments credited to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, after the Federal Executive Council meeting held recently, the coalition of four registered unions under JOHESU: Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, Educational and Associated Institutions — said the Federal Government’s position “negates the fundamental right of workers to freedom of association and right to strike” as enshrined in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87 adopted in 1948, to which Nigeria is a signatory and has domesticated.

JOHESU expressed deep concern that the policy, according to the Minister’s own explanation, appeared targeted at workers and their trade unions “rather than looking at the holistic industrial relations system and the social partners’ standard rules of engagements and adherence to international best practices.”

“It is rather unfortunate that the organised labour is serially being blackmailed by the ruling class as being responsible for industrial actions,” the statement read. “Whereas, on the contrary, most—if not all—trade disputes and strikes are caused by the Government and employers who perennially violate Collective Bargaining Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, court judgements and other legally binding resolutions.”

The unions stressed that they are not opposed to a strong and effective industrial relations framework, but insisted that any new policy must be developed through genuine engagement with workers’ representatives. “While JOHESU is not averse to having a robust National Industrial Relations Policy in Nigeria, we call on the Federal Government to subject the policy to further tripartite partners’ scrutiny and inputs when going through legislative processes at the National Assembly,” the statement urged.

They also called on the Federal Government to “activate and strengthen the National Labour Advisory Council for effective and sustainable tripartite engagements in ensuring best practices in labour administration and adherence to international labour standards and extant labour laws in Nigeria.”

The statement, jointly signed by JOHESU’s National Chairman, Ado Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martins Egbanubi, warned that any attempt to muzzle workers’ voices under the guise of policy reform would be met with stiff resistance, and reminded the government that the right to strike remains a globally recognised pillar of labour relations.

READ ALSO: JOHESU/AHPA back resident doctors’ nationwide strike